Thaipusam 2007: Hand of support
A Hindu devotee receives a hand of support at Thaipusam 2007, before he gets his body pierced by skewers.
This may not be a very dramatic photograph, but it certainly tells a story – a story of brotherhood and support given to Thaipusam devotees.
Even though some of the devotees go through the same ritual every year, there is still some degree of fear and apprehension – which is perhaps evident in the expression on the mouth of the man.
I had composed and taken this photograph as it is presented here, no cropping, and I am quite pleased with the result. I think the image would lose its impact if it showed more of the men's faces.
Incidentally, the man receiving a hand of support is the same person whom I taken quite a number of photographs of during Thaipusam 2006,
I had tried to capture his apprehension and anxiety through a photograph of hands, but was not satisfied with the result – partly because I felt that I failed to capture his emotions successfully, also because the other man in the background somewhat spoilt the impact of the image.
I thought this second photograph of his hands was not bad, except that the other hand in the background was a bit distracting.
But I like the perspiration he left on his buddy's shirt. That wet patch, I feel, says a lot.
